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"Proper" usage is a sliding scale, John, and multiple definitions can be correct, and in use, at the same time.
For example...
"The Firearms Dictionary," R.A. Steindler, Stackpole Books, 1970.
Bore - Inside of a barrel, also the diameter of the barrel as measured across the lands of a rifled barrel.
Right there are two definitions that allow a world of possibility to shine through.
Skipping over to the definition for gauge...
Gauge - The unit of bore measurement of a shotgun. Originally, the gauge number indicated the number of solid lead balls of bore diameter that could be cast from one pound of lead.
From that it's pretty evident that bore is applicable to both shotguns and rifles, while gauge is applicable to shotguns only.
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